It’s Been Almost A Year: “Top Ten Things I Say In NYC All The Time”

Okay, it is hard to imagine, but it is coming up on our one year anniversary of living in New York City. What an adventure it has truly been! Over the past few days I have started to reflect back on this past year and all of the challenges and changes that we have encountered. I wouldn’t change a thing. Although I do find myself desperately missing a BBQ, but I will save that for another post 😉 This city is crazy, intense, awe inspiring, but best of all it is now our home. Over the next few days I am going to post some “top ten” lists about moments/events/sights that I think reflect this past year. Today I am going to start with phrases/thoughts that I find myself saying/thinking repeatedly since I have moved to the Big Apple. I hope you enjoy my insights. Happy Friday!!

1. “Please don’t lick the pole!!” -I never thought I would have to say this, but with small kids, I am always reminding them to get their faces away from all parts of the inside of the subway- EWWWWW!!!!

Anyone have some hand sanitizer? 😉

2. “I moved from Ottawa (blank stare), it is in between Toronto and Montreal (nodding)” It still amazes me how many people do not know where Ottawa is. I like to remind them that it IS Canada’s capital. The response is always “Oh, our Washington”. Exactly… sigh.

Oh Canada!

3. “Yes, I live in NYC with these two big dogs” It is a bit strange for a person living in NYC to have two large dogs. The norm is owning pets on the smaller side. We get lots of attention on the street from natives and tourists alike. The truth is, as long as they get some daily exercise big dogs just like to find a nice quiet space and chillax.

Dopey taking over the couch 😉

4. “If you want to go to the American Museum of Natural History keep walking up 79th street and you can’t miss it” I answer the question of how to get to the AMNH at least three or four times a week. Tourists always get off at the wrong subway stop and need some help getting oriented. I LOVE getting this question because I feel like they know I am from here and it makes me think that I look a bit like a New Yorker, or maybe I just look a little less lost than they do 😉

American Museum of Natural History

5. “Yes, that is the Empire State Building” My children are always asking as well as friends from out of town. There is a certain magic about the building. In certain parts of the city it almost seems to be following/watching you.

The Mighty Empire

6. “Be prepared to expect the unexpected” Walking the NYC streets is ALWAYS an adventure with interesting people and places around every corner.

Why hello there Superman!

7. “Look Up” I am constantly telling friends and family to do this. You will miss most of the true beauty of Manhattan if you never look up and enjoy the amazing architecture that surrounds you.

Buildings in Battery Park

8. “What’s the weather like today?” I have discovered something interesting about New Yorkers. They are as obsessed with the weather as much as Canadians. I think this is due in large part to the fact that we rely on walking as our main form of transportation. It is essential to know if we will need to pack umbrellas, sunscreen, hats etc…

Miserable in the rain

9. “Are we taking the 1, 2 or 3 train?” Just as important as the weather is the subway schedule. It is important to always be on top of schedule changes due to construction, incidents etc. I feel like I spend tons of time googling stops and routes from the subway to various places. I am not sure what I would do without mass transit!

The "1" train buried in snow

10. “Always keep your eyes open for the next adventure!” You never know when something interesting will cross your path. The joy of living in this city is that there is always something to look at and experience. Don’t be afraid to embrace it. “It’s always an adventure” 😉

Loved reading this, as NYC is on my “Never going there” list. I like hearing someone talk about it as if it’s just a great place to live, not some mystic portal to the inner wonderfulness of the Universe. (Because that’s Vancouver, folks….) Glad you’ve had a great year there, and hope the next is as good, if not better.

I am from Canada. My husband and I recently visited NYC for the weekend. It was amazing!! 😀 And yes, I often asked if the 1,2,3 train is one train or 3 different trains?? Once I saw a train that said 1 and 2, but not 3 and that totally threw me off!!

However, I do find New Yorkers extremely helpful. So many people went out of their way to help us when we were lost. (I know surprising to know we got lost when NYC is a big grid!! But we did!) 🙂

Love NYC – residents there are much friendlier than people realize. And I’m from Texas, so I know friendly. I’ve been to all the boroughs except Brooklyn, and I hope to visit there soon. Especially the Brooklyn Flea and the Botanical Garden.

I whole-heartedly agree with you! I live in Florida, so I’m accustomed to the “Southern Hospitality”. Everyone always told me that New Yorkers were mean and rude; never once did I encounter one. They were all helpful and kind!

I love this list! It makes me want to do a similar one for my current city, Colorado Springs, although I doubt it would be as interesting. We don’t have people in Superman costumes except on Halloween, and everyone is expected to own at LEAST two big dogs. Great post.

I used to live there, and just returned from a July 4th weekend. Got to agree about looking up. It amazes me, even after all the time I spent there, that just looking up and looking at the buildings is a new character on its own.

Congrats on being here a year! I’ve been here a little over a year, and it’s amazing how different it is from everywhere else. My mom is coming to visit for the first time today, and I’m really excited to see the city through a newbie’s eyes. 🙂

Aaaah, reminds me of my own one-year-anniversary March of this year. When is yours coming up? That probably means you came around last summer aka as one heat wave after another, right? I was here from spring on and do have to say that the season until October was one of the nicest I’ve experienced. And so many things to do over here during the hot months, incredible!
New Yorkers might be obsessed with weather but the thing is that their weather report is rarely accurate! Even if you check it the day before. Have you noticed yet?

Love this post! I’ve come to realize, after traveling in countless countries that people talk about the weather when there isn’t anything else to talk about. Or if there is a language barrier and all you can say in your new language is the basics.
Well deserved Freshly Pressed, Congrats!

is “chillax” a canadian term? just wondering if americans use it too. i was once in hong kong for a 2 day layover and tourists on the street were asking my husband and i for directions, but we’re asian, so they probably thought we lived there. i loved nyc when i visited a couple of years ago. friendly people, lots to do and see. great post!

I was born and raised in New York City until I went into the service in 1959. As a young man, I recall, a third floor walk-up apartment in a six story building on 116th Street on Lexington Avenue. My Brother, I, and my parents shared that small apartment, perhaps six hundred feet for the grand sum of thirty dollars a month (under rent control). I am curious what your actual living conditions are, own, rent, space in square footage, what part of town you are in, and costs today?

I love New York. I was born on the Upper East Side and moved back as soon as I was able. I lived and/or worked in Manhattan for 25 years. I live in Florida now, but I miss NYC so much that, at times, it’s almost a physical pain. I went there on vacation in late May/early June, and it all came back to me. I remembered how to walk around Midtown without bumping into anyone and nobody asked me if I wanted to take a ride on the double-decker tour bus.

I love New York. I was born on the Upper East Side and moved back as soon as I was able. I lived and/or worked in Manhattan for 25 years. I live in Florida now, but I miss NYC so much that, at times, it’s almost a physical pain. I went there on vacation in late May/early June, and it all came back to me. I remembered how to walk around Midtown without bumping into anyone and nobody asked me if I wanted to take a ride on the double-decker tour bus.

I have been to NYC twice — I’m an Alberta girl, living in the middle of the prairies — but I LOVE New York. Great article, made me smile as I remember asking for directions shamelessly whenever I got turned around. One of my favorite things about NY is that you can walk anywhere you want to go. A truly amazing, wonderful city! Congrats on being FP’d.

I LOVE this post…. Let me first start off by saying that you are very lucky to live in NYC! I have been wanting to visit for a long time, but we never make it (I even had itineraries typed up for a possible visit :D). What can I say, I am a true New York Wannabe! What I loved about your post is that it kind of shows what an average day living in NYC is like. May I ask what district you’re in? I look forward to seeing/reading more about life in the city!

#2 made me laugh Sandra. Funny stuff.
But the words of #6 resonated the most with me.

These are all good points for “any big city,” but NYC is surely
“any big city” multiplied by 10.

So now that you sent me to thinking about it Sandra, one thing they do in Texas is they say “Keep Austin Weird.”
But to me that’s just an okay saying for a college town, and frankly even when I was in college and frequented Austin often i didn’t care for it; I guess just the term “weird” doesn’t do anything for me.
And besides that Austin’s the capital of Texas!

I recently visited New York on a school field trip and I fell head over heels in love with the city. I hope to move there after college to be a psychiatrist. But I have a question, is it really all that bad to live up there? And is it really that hard to make it up there? Majority of my friends and family tell me I’m crazy for wanting to live there.

This post reminds me of my short visit to NYC last summer. Took a lot of photos of the NYC skyline which is nothing short of being breathtaking and beautiful especially in nice weather. Speaking of walking into interesting things, one of my most memorable moments in NYC was when my family came across the Balto statue in Central Park years ago. I remember thinking how awesome it was seeing the statue in person not too long after seeing the statue in the animated movie “Balto”.

ahhh this is amazing! I have been going to NYC every year since I was ten and I feel like i become a completely different person the second I enter the city. It has such an amazing vibe and culture that I feel anyone can embrase. Really enjoyed this post! cant wait for more about your experience in NYC. cheers

Love this! And I can totally relate. Moved to San Francisco from Texas a little over a month ago. I especially appreciate #10. There is so much to see here. I notice knew things all the time, even when I’m walking the same walk I do everyday from the BART station to my office. In line with #7, I often look up and notice sculptures and artwork in the oddest places, and am amazed by these little gems, much less the architecture!

I’ve lived in NYC all my life and it’s sad to say I never appreciated it until i got older and now have a child of my own. It’s such a fast pace city that you forget to just stop and admire all the beauty and history surrounding this wonder city. I will say this though, i wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. 🙂

New York, the most populous city, exerts a significant impact upon global
commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education,
and entertainment & is the cultural capital of the world. A linguistically
diverse city in the world; as many as 800 languages are spoken in the City.
When we remember NY, the Time Square, those skyscapers, NY’s Stock
Exchange in Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty, NY’s Subway, numerous
colleges/universities comes to our mind, public buses, commuter railroads
comes to our mind. Even one time visit will give great impact to all visitors.
The great function is that one is celebrated at Time Square at the break
of New Year. I always wonder about NY City that never sleeps.

[…] Okay, it is hard to imagine, but it is coming up on our one year anniversary of living in New York City. What an adventure it has truly been! Over the past few days I have started to reflect back on this past year and all of the challenges and changes that we have encountered. I wouldn't change a thing. Although I do find myself desperately missing a BBQ, but I will save that for another post This city is crazy, intense, awe inspiring, but bes … Read More […]

people and the beauty of modern architecture. Add to that the culture of entertainment that brings so many fun memories to any person who walks through its streets. Broadway itself is enough to cause genuine joy. New York is a place of discovery and fun.

I really love the line “look up”. You are right! A lot of people do miss the fact that the high rise buildings in New York are a spectacle in itself. I love looking up when I’m in the Manhattan area even though that might give me a stiff neck and well, weird stares from passers-by. So, the next time you see a girl staring upwards while walking through the streets in Manhattan, that’s probably me. Lol.

Truly love this post! Will be looking forward to your next top ten lists. I’d love to know what else you have to say about the city. Glad to know that you’re enjoyung your life in New York! 🙂

I’ve visited New York City before a number of times but the person I was traveling with did not know a thing about what he was doing. He was so stressed out, and so anxious, that I feel like I never really got to enjoy it because I was always so stressed out trying to figure out if he had a clue what he was doing. And, I think you have to get into the city ‘walk’ which is this high speed walk where you don’t get run over by the natives. 😉

[…] It’s Been Almost A Year: “Top Ten Things I Say In NYC All The Time” (via It’s Always An Adventure) Okay, it is hard to imagine, but it is coming up on our one year anniversary of living in New York City. What an adventure it has truly been! Over the past few days I have started to reflect back on this past year and all of the challenges and changes that we have encountered. I wouldn't change a thing. Although I do find myself desperately missing a BBQ, but I will save that for another post This city is crazy, intense, awe inspiring, but bes … Read More […]

[…] July 8th, 2011 § Leave a Comment Okay, it is hard to imagine, but it is coming up on our one year anniversary of living in New York City. What an adventure it has truly been! Over the past few days I have started to reflect back on this past year and all of the challenges and changes that we have encountered. I wouldn't change a thing. Although I do find myself desperately missing a BBQ, but I will save that for another post This city is crazy, intense, awe inspiring, but bes … Read More […]

That is a great post!!! My sister lives in NYC and even though I REALLY don’t know my way around I’ve gotten the same questions as you from people. And unfortunately, I HAVE seen a child lick a subway pole-*EW!* Thank you so much for sharing all your great thoughts with us!!! (oh, and I DO know where Ottawa is…even if you didn’t tell me!) 🙂

so great..I’ve lived in NYC all my life and it’s sad to say I never appreciated it until i got older and now have a child of my own. It’s such a fast pace city that you forget to just stop and admire all the beauty and history surrounding this wonder city. I will say this though, i wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

it’s great city! i love ny. there is more and more to tell about it. I couldn’t stop taking photos there! The result is here:http://wp.me/p19cNF-6q
I love your anecdote about ottawa. it’s so true and so unbelievable!

As a fellow Canadian in NY, I enjoyed this. No one has ever heard of Ottawa…I mean, seriously. I once worked here with a woman who had been a Rhodes Scholar finalist, Harvard Phi Beta Kappa — and she had no idea what the capital of Canada was.

Looking up is worth doing, but only NOT from the middle of a crowded sidewalk. That tendency will mark you as a gormless tourist, the kind that drive natives nuts.

Ottawa to NYC! For me it was Kitchener-Waterloo (well, sort of) to Belgium. Only for a year though. Someday I would like to go to New York City, someday. Gotta see a show on a Broadway stage before I die!

Hello from Barcelona (Spain) !
Just to let you know that I posted about your blog in my blog. (www.thatsmeinnewyork.wordpress.com). I liked so much this post!!!!
I lived two months in Manhattan and wrote a blog. Now I’m living in Barcelona, my city, and I write about the two cities.
THere you have the link of the post: http://thatsmeinnewyork.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/10-frases-en-nyc/

I grew up in New York City (Staten Island). I now live in Rochester, NY which makes me practically almost Canadian. I visit NYC and my family any chance I get and I NEVER tire of it. I miss my city so much! Enviously yours, transplantednorth

I love NYC for everything is so convenient but the living expenses are so high..getting lost in the concrete jungle is truly a great adventure I’m still a bit confused about the subway I’m glad to get by lol where did you find that Edgar Allan Poe factoid? I should really be paying much attention where I’m going lol Congrats! Happy NYC anniversary to you 😀

Love the post, mostly true. Congrats in beeing freshly press. I grew in NY , live in Toronto, sorry Canadian or London fans, still there is nothing like the big Apple. I don’t care if the most crowded place, but everything is so convenient! global affordable fashions, shoes, travel, are you kidding? I’ll never get tired of it. I play tourist everytime i go as a way to support the city. New York has been inmortalized for a reason in the business, fashion and enterteing world for a reason for many including the wonderful Alicia Keys song (Empire State of Mind).

I find myself saying to myself (mostly) things like :
“Can you move a little faster?”
“Walk in a straight line, please.”
Then, I remember to slow down and look around. 🙂

And then there are these:
“Finally, somebody is smiling back!”
“Ooh, those are nice shoes – what brand are they, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Did you hear/understand that subway announcement? Yeah, me neither…”

My recent favorite is:
“Can you tell me what time it is?” I love to see who still wears a watch!!!

[…] 10. Juli 2011 von schriftkind Okay, it is hard to imagine, but it is coming up on our one year anniversary of living in New York City. What an adventure it has truly been! Over the past few days I have started to reflect back on this past year and all of the challenges and changes that we have encountered. I wouldn't change a thing. Although I do find myself desperately missing a BBQ, but I will save that for another post This city is crazy, intense, awe inspiring, but bes … Read More […]

[…] Okay, it is hard to imagine, but it is coming up on our one year anniversary of living in New York City. What an adventure it has truly been! Over the past few days I have started to reflect back on this past year and all of the challenges and changes that we have encountered. I wouldn't change a thing. Although I do find myself desperately missing a BBQ, but I will save that for another post This city is crazy, intense, awe inspiring, but bes … Read More […]